Electric switch



Nov. 29, 1932. a. J. MEUER 1,339,259

ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Sept. 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i I L; 4 @I/Maaaa Nov. 29, 1932. G. J. MEUER 1,88

ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Sept. 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 I I I02.

r w .27 l I lj ggl I04 #25, I25 I I Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE J". MEUER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGZN'OR '10 CUTLER-BIKER, INC, 01 MILWAUKEE, WISCQNSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed September 8, 1981, Serial No. 581,572. Renewed September 24, 1982.

tionary and movable contact elements of the' switch.

Another object is to provide a snap switch having stationary and movable contact ele ments of improved form.

Another objectis to provide improved means for effecting sna action of the movable contact elements 0 the switch.

Another and more specific object is to provide an improved form and arrangement of the wiring terminal elements of the switch.

Another object is to provide a switch having a novel form of actuating lever together with improved mounting means for the latter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the invent-ion which will now be described, it being understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View, in separated relation, of the parts of a tool-handle snap switch constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, along the dotted line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the switch parts in assembled relation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of a switch similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2,'but with a modified form of metal cover plate and actuating lever.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are top plan, vertical sectional and end views, respectively, of another modified form of the switch illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modified arrangement of the stationary contacts and the movable contactors to provide a switch of the three-point or multiple-circuit controlling type.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like characters of reference,and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2; the numeral 10 designates a molded base of suitable insulatin material, such, for example, as the phenol ormaldehyde condensation product sold under the trade name of bakelite. Base 10 is provided with a relatively deep substantially rectangular recess 11 opening to the upper surface thereof. The bottom wall of recess 11 is provided with a longitudinally extending rib or projection, the flat face 12 of which is located in a plane above said bottom wall. Opening to said face 12 is a supplemental recess 13 for a pur pose to be described.

The end walls of recess 11 are likewise provided with internal vertically extending ribs or projections of semi-cylindrical form in cross section, as indicated at 14 and 15; base 10 being provided adjacent to said ribs with through passages or openings 16 and 17 to provide clearance for the shanks of a pair of securing screws, 18 and 19,open'ings 16 and 17 being countersunk or enlarged at the lower ends 16, 17* thereof to accommodate the heads of said screws. 1

The upper surface of base 10 is provided at the four corners thereof with depressions or grooves 20, 21, 22 and 23, each of which is adapted to accommodate the upper horizontal portion of the respective resilient stationary contact elements 24, 25, 26 and 27. Overlying the horizontal portions of said contacts are the horizontal portions of terminal members 28, 29, 30 and 31; the base 10, the contact elements and said terminal members being provided with alined openings to ac- 'commodate the headed eyelets or rivets 32,

grooves 20 to 23, as indicated at 21', 22 and 0 23 in Figs. 1 and 2 to permit the use of relatively short eyelets 32, 33, etc., and saidrecesses 21, 22, etc. open'to the end walls of base 10 to provide c earance for the shanks of binding screws 36 carried by the vertically depending portions of the terminal members 28, 29, etc. The outer surfaces of the end walls of base 10 are formed as shown to provide ribs or barriers 37, 38 between the aforementioned depending portions of the terminal members.

As will be noted, all of the terminal members 28 to 31 are of identical form. The contact elements 24 and 25 are likewise of identical form,the free end portions thereof ex tending into recess 11 on op ositesides of the aforementioned rib on the ottom'wall of the' latter, and being normally biased to a plane below the surface 12 of said rib. The contact elements 26 and 27 are of like form,- the samebeing bent to extend downwardly belowthe plane of surface 12 and the free ends thereof being normally biased toward a plane above said surface 12.

As best illustrated in Fig. 1, the grooves 20, 21..and 22,23 are arranged to provide for I extension of the free ends of contact elements 24, 25 and 26, 27 into recess 11 at slightly divergent angles with respect to the terminal members associated therewith. Interposed between the free and overlapping ends of the longitudinally alined a'irs of contacts 24, 27 and 25, 26 is a thin at plate 39 of fiber or other suitable insulating material. .Said plate' is preferably punched to substantially rectan ar contour as shown, the same being provi ed with a substantially centrally 1oeated opening 40, preferably of rectangular shapegandthe same is provided on o posite side edges thereof, and to one side 0 a liiie erossin said central 0 ening, with a pair of relative y narrow note es or openings 41 and 42. A pair of substantially U-shaped contactors 43 and 44 formed of strip metal are provided; the bent portions of said contactors being insertable within said notches and the arm portions thereof being then pressed ti htl against opposite sides of the plate w ere the contaetors are retained in assemble osition.

As in icated in Fig. 2 the free ends of the stationary contacts are biased towar plate 39 in all positions of the latter, so that in one extreme position of said plate (Fig. 2) electrical connection between the contacts of each pair 24, 27 and 25, 26 is interrupted, and in the opposite extreme position of said late the contactors 43 and 44 are interpose between the respective pairs of contacts 24, 27 and'25, 26' to electrically connect the same. Plate 39 is preferably notched on o posite sides thereo as indicated at 45 an 46 to accommodate the curved surfaces 14, 15 of of said plate 39 in opposite directions respectively,land the side walls of recess 11 acting to guide plate 39 in its movements,it being noted that the corners of plate 39 are preferably rounded as shown to insure against binding or fouling thereof within the recess.

A flat punched sheet metal pin or flipper 47 is provided, said pin having arms or lateral projections 48 adjacent to the upper end thereof, whereby the relatively long through an opening 49 in the fiat connecting portion of a substantially U-shaped member 50 and through the opening 40 in plate 39. As shown the pin 47 has a predetermined degree of lateral lost motion with respect to the walls of openings 49 and 40 whereby the same may assume a substantially vertical position in ,each extreme position of plate 39 (see Figs. 2 and3). It will be understood, however, that the size of either or both of the openings 49 and 40 may be decreased or increased in size to vary the degree of lost motion of said pin 'with respect thereto.

The upper ends of the arms of member 50 are bent outwardly at substantially, ri ht angles thereto. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 said arms are bendable to provide for forcible insertion. of the ends thereof into the lower set of alined bearing openings 51 and 52 formed in the parallel sides of a metal cover plate 53 of inverted channel shape. Vertically alined with the respective openings 51 and 52 is a second pair of alined bearing openings, one of which is s own at 54 in Fig. 1. The flat top portion 55 f plate 53 is provided with a relatively narrow rectangular slot'or opening 56-into which a flat punched sheet, metal aetuatin lever 57 is insertable. Lever 57 is provide with an opening 58 of relatively smaller size than said second pair of bearing openings (see 54), and a pivot pin 59 is insertable through said bearing openings and the opening 58, said pin being slightly upnet or otherwise enlarged intermediate its ends, as indicated at 60, to pro vide for a drive fit thereof within open n 58 whereby said parts are held in assemb relation to the top plate and whereby the fit.of lever 57 within slot 56 prevents substantial endwise displacement of pin 59 the bearing openin F The lower end 0 lever .57 is notched at 61 to engage the diametrically disposed end portion 62 of a coiled compression spring 63, the lower end of said spring being engaged with the ab ,ment formed at the upper end of pin 47 y the proieetions 48 on the latter.

he upper .end of ever 57 is provided with a suitable enlargement which may comprise a metal ball 64 having ao'ecess therein to provide for a drive fit thereof onto said lever;

Plate 53 is rovided with flat portions 65 lower end portion thereof may be inserted 11,-said end w the ribs on the fipsposite end walls of recess and 66 to over 'e the upper edges of the longh" i I acting to limit movement tudinal walls of base 10,- -a flat punched and 3, being limited in its opposite movements by engagement thereof with the surfaces 14 and 15 of the end wall ribs aforementioned. Plate 67 is also provided with clearance openings 69 and 70 for the shanks of screws 18 and 19 which take into tapped openings 71 and 72 in the fiat portion 55 of top plate 53. Tapped openings 73 and 74 are likewise provided for cooperation with suitable screws (no-t shown) whereby the device as a whole may be attached to the hollow handle of a tool or to any other suitable suport. p The operation of my improved switch mechanism will be apparent from the foregoing description and the drawings. Thus in Fig. 2 assuming movement of lever 57 toward the left, the spring 63 will be further compressed until the upper end thereof is carried to the right beyond the pivotal center of member 50 whereupon the latter is moved with a snap action to its left-hand extreme position. Pin 47 provides a slightly articulated driving connection between member 50 and plate 39 whereby the aforedescribed snap movement is transmitted to the latter,and consequently to the contacto-rs 43 and 44 carried thereby. A corresponding snap movement of the parts in the reverse direction is effected upon oscillation of lever 57 toward the right. As shown in Fig. 1 the grooves 20, 21 and 22, 23 are preferably provided with connecting grooves 75, 76, respectively,

whereby either set of stationary contacts 24, 7

25 or 26, 27 may be electrically connected by a suitable bus member (not shown) to provide a single-pole, four-break switch. It is to beunderstood that in the single-pole form of the switch the terminal members at one end of the base, and their associated binding screws, are preferably omitted.

The bottom surface of base 10 is provided with a boss or projection 77 to accommodate the auxiliary recess 13 without interruption of the continuity of said bottom wall, Also it will be noted that the openings, grooves and recesses are so arranged in base 10 as to provide for formation of the latter by a straight-line molding operation. Similarly, the base 10 is initially molded without metallic inserts of any kind. These features are of considerable importance from the viewpoint of economy in this" art.

The switch illustrated in Fig. 3 is substantially like that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and corresponding parts have been given like characters of reference. In this form of switch, however, the top plate 78 is made substantially flat, and of a width substantially equal to the width of base 10,plate 78 also being relatively shorter than the top plate 53 of Figs. 1 and 2. Plate 78 is provided with an intermediate raised portion 79 having a substantially circular opening 80 to receive the reduced lower end of an externally threaded hollow metal bushing 81,said reduced lower end being upset over the lower face of raised portion 7 9 as indicated at 82 to secure said parts to each other. Diametrically opposed portions 82 of said lower end of the bushing are preferably angled slightly as shown to provide a sort of cam surface to minimize friction of the spring coils thereagainst upon each operation of the switch mechanism. In practice the lower end portion of bushing 81 is notched or cut away at two diametrically opposite points (one of the notches being shown at 83), and plate 78 is provided with a pair of correspondingly located lugs (one of which is shown at 84), which lugs project into the area of opening 80 to provide bearings for the outwardly bent ends of the arms of member 50. The opening through bushing mediate portion of said pin being enlarged,

as shown at 60 in Fig. 1, to provide for a drive fit thereof within the relatively smaller opening 87 provided in the one-piece machined lever 88,--the lower end of said lever being provided with a kerf or notch 89 to engage the diametrically extending end 62 of spring 63.

The screws 90 and 91 (which are relatively shorter than the screws 18, 19 of Figs. 1 and 2) take into tapped openings provided in plate The switch shown Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is essentially likethat shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but with certain additions and modifications to provide a trigger operated switch which is normally biased to open position, and which may be latched at will in closed position. Thus, I attach to the upper fiat portion 55 of top plate 53 a plate 92, as by means of screws 93 and 94, said plate having a downwardly and inwardly angled end portion 95 which is provided with a pair of tapped openings 96 whereby the switch may be attached to a suitable support by a pair of screws (not shown). Plate 92 is provided with a. pair of parallel upwardly extending arms 97, 98 which fit loosely within the parallel arms 99, 100 ofa trigger member or lever 101 of substantially U-shape in cross section. Said pairs of arms are provided with alined openings within which the pin 102 is inserted,

which are provided with openings to loosely receive a p vot pin 104, the intermediate portion of which also pivotally engages the opening 105 in one end of a lever 106. Lever 106 is reciprocable in a plane to one side of screw 18, the inner end portion 107 being ofiset to lie in the plane of the slot 56 in to plate 53,-and

the lug 108 formed on said en portion being slidable within said slot, whereby the walls of the latter guide and limit the movements of the former. The lug 109 formed on end ortion 107 is bent to underlie the lower surace of flat portion 55 at one sideof slot 56 whereby proper positioning of lever 106 is insured durin assembly of the parts, and in the event of s ight loosening of screws 93 or 94. End portion 107 is provided with a notch 110 to engage portion 62 of spring 63, as

aforedescnbed. L

As best shown in Fig.4 pin 104 extends a considerable distance on each side of member 101, the end portions of sa d pin having portions 111, 112 of reduced diameter to receive and retain the looped ends of the respective tension springs 113, 114. The parallel sides of member 53 are provided with a pair of alinedopenings 115, 116 within which a sec- 4 0nd pin 117 is adapted to fit, said pin having similar reduced portions 118, 119 to receive and retain the opposite looped ends of springs 113, 114. As will be apparent, the springs 11%,;114

, normallybias the switch mechanism to-fthe I off position thereof as shown in .Figs. 4, 5 I 35 interposed between the head of button 123' and the lug 120, so that washer 124 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 6,-

arm '99 of member 101 having a lug or extension .127 normally adapted to traverse the center line of shank 122, but being ofiset outwardly to clear the washer 124. Thus when member 101 is operated to effect closure of the switch the button 123 may be pressed inwardly and thereafter a slight return movement of member 101 causes engagement of the lug 127 with shank 122 to prevent opening of the switch, and washer 124 engages lug 127 to prevent retraction of button 123 by spring 126. However, if member 101-is thereafter.

depressed or moved to the extreme position thereof corresponding to on position of the switc lug 127 releases washer 124 and. button 1 3 is moved automaticall to the normal position thereof shown in igs. and 6.

In the modified arrangement of stationa and movable switch parts illustrated in Fig.

I proyide a switch of the three-point or mul- Thus stationary contact ele e'nts 24, 25, 26

and 27. are thesame as those aforedescribed, but the elements 25 and 26 are reversed in position with respect to the other forms of the switch illustrated. Likewise the terminal members 29 and 31' are identical with the correspondin parts aforedescribed, but a one-piece com hined bus and terminal member 28 is substituted for the terminal members 28 and 30. Moreover, the punched plate 39 of insulating material is provided with a centrally locatedopening 40 and a notch 41 as in the previous figures, but the notch 42 in the opposite edge of plate 39 is arran ed on the opposite side of the center'llne of t e latter. Contactor 43 is positioned on and attached to plate 39 in the manner aforedescribed whereas contactor 44 is merely reversed in position.

Thus, in one extreme position of plate 39' contactor 43 will bridge contact elements 24 and 27 to complete a given circuit, and in the other extreme position of plate 39" contactor 44 will brldge contact elements 25 and 26 to complete an alternative circuit. The three binding screws required for connection of thecircuit wires have'been omitted for clarlt of illustration of the other parts. It is to be understood that the insulating base member employed may be the same as that illustrated a 10 in the other fi res, and any of the several arrangements 0 the actuating elements and mounting means aforedescribed may be employed.

What I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric snap swltch, in combination, a molded insulating base havin a recess, a rib formed inte rally with the ottom wall of said recess an having a flat surface located above said bottom wall, lower and upper resilient stationary contacts located within said recess and respectively biased .above and below the plane of said flat surface,

and a relatively thin flat insulating member slidable upon said flat surface and interposed between said stationary contacts in all positions of the former, said insulatin member having a conductin element mova le therewith into and out o bridging relation to said contacts,

' 2. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulatin base havin a recess, a rib formed integra y with the ottom wall of said recess and having a flat surface located above said bottom wall, lower and upper resilient stationary contacts located within said recess and respectively biased above-and below the plane of said flat surface, a relatively thin flat insulating member slidable upon said flat surface and interposed between said stationary contacts in all positions of the former, said insulating member having a conducting element movable therewith into and out of bridging relation to said contacts, actuating means for said insulating member comprising a U-shaped member pivotally supported with respect to said base, a flipper element carried by and extending downwardly from said U-shaped member and. having an end portion in driving engagement with said insulating member, a spring abutment at the other end of said flipper element, an oscillatable actuating lever, and a coiled compression spring interposed between said lever and said abutment.

' 3. In a snap switch of the toggle type, in combination, an oscillatable actuating lever, an oscillatable member of substantially U- shape, a pin loosely carried by said U-shaped member and having oscillatory movement with respect thereto, a flat plate ofinsulating material having an opening with the walls of which the lower end of said pin is adapted to engage, an abutment formed at the upper end of said pin, a coiled compression spring interposed between said actuating lever and said abutment, a plurality of pairs of stationary resilient contacts normally biased into engagement with opposite sides of said plate and between which said plate is adapted to slide, and a plurality of contactors carried by said plate and movable thereby into and out of bridging engagement with said pairs of stationary contacts.

4. In an electric switch, in combination, a

plurality of pairs of stationary resilient contacts, a relatively thin'flat plate of insulating material interposed between the contacts of each pair respectively and slidable with respect thereto, said plate having notches formed in opposite edges thereof, a pair of U-shaped contactors having the bends thereof located within said notches and having the arm portions thereof located on opposite sides of said plate for movement by the latter into and out of bridging engagement with said stationary contacts, and means for effecting movements of said plate to opposite .extreme positions with a snap action, said means comprising a pin having a lost motion driving connection with said plate, a. pivoted substantially U -shaped member having a lost motion driving connection with said pin. an abutment formed on said pin, a coiled compression spring having one end thereof in engagement with said abutment, and means for carrying the other end of said spring across the pivotal center of said U- shaped member toefi'ect snap movement of the latter and of said plate.

Q5. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulatlng base having a substantially rectangular recess formed in the upper surface thereof, a rib formed in said recess and projecting from the bottom. and end walls of the latter, contact and terminal members secured to the four corners of said base, said base having external grooves in the end walls thereof to accommodate the wiring terminal portions of said members, the contact portions of said members being resilient and the ends of each longitudinally alined pair being located within said recess in overlapping relation to each other, a relatively thin fiat plate located between said contact portions and adapted to tension the latter, said plate being slidable upon the bottom wall portionof said rib, said plate having bridging contactors secured thereto and exposed on opposite sides thereof, and means for insuring snap movements of said plate to opposite extreme positions respectively.

6. The combination with a molded insulatwiring terminal portions located on opposite sides of the exterior ribs of the endwalls, said terminal elements also having portions located on o posite sides of the ribs upon the upper 'sur ace of said base, said last mentioned portions being adapted to overlie the other end portions of said contact elements, and a plurality of metal eyelets penetrating corresponding openings in said base, contact and terminal elements and upset thereover to rigidly and permanently secure the parts in assembled relation.

7. In combination, a slidable contactor assembly for electric snap switches, said assembly comprising a relatively thin flat plate of insulating material, said plate having a substantially centrally located opening formed therein to loosely receive an actuating element of suitable form, said plate also having a pair of alined notches formed in opposite edges thereof and to one side of said movements of said plate, the bottom wall of said recess having a rib extendin longitudinally thereof against which sa1d plate is adapted to bear.

8. An electric snap switch com rising a molded insulating base having a su tantially rectangular vrecess formed in the upper surface thereof, a rib extending longitudinall of the bottom wall of said recess, said rib aving. a flat upper surface, a thin fiat plate of insulating material of substantially rectangular contour located within said re--.

cess and slidable upon the upper surface of said rib, said late having its movements guided and limited, respectively, by the side and end walls of said recess, a'pair of contactors of substantially U-shape in cross section, the arm portions of each contactor being bent into clampin engagement withtopposite faces of sa1d p ate, and two pairs of stationary contacts having the resilient tips thereof respectively biased into engaglement with oppos te faces of said plate, w ereby upon movement of said plate to opposite extreme positions said contactors are moved accordingly into or out of bridging relation to said pairs of contacts.

9. An electric snap switch comprising a molded insulating base havin a substantially rectangular recess forme in the upper surface thereof, a rib extending longitudinally of the bottom wall of said recess, said rib having a flat upper surface, a thin flat plate 'of insulating material of substantially rectangular contour located within said recess and slidable upon the upper surface of said rib, said plate having its movements guided and limited, respectively, by the side and end walls of sa1d recess, a air of contactors of substantially U-shape 1n cross section, the arm rtions of each contactor being bent into c amping engagement with opposite faces of said plate two irs of stationary contacts having the 'ent tips thereof respectively biased into gement with opposite faces of said plate, w ereby upon movement.

of said plate to opposite extreme positions said contactors are moved accordingly into or out of bri g relation'to said pairs of contacts, said p ate having an opening formed therein, a flat punched sheet metal pin having driving engagement with the walls of said o ning, a pivoted substantially U-s'haped s eet metal member having a lost motion driving connection with sa1d pin, an oscillatable actuating lever, and a coiled compression sgring interposed between said lever and said -shaped member to. effect snap movements of the latter to opposite extreme positions respectively upon opposite movements of the former.

10. In an electric switch, in combination, an insulating base adapted to be formed by a straight-line molding operation, said base having a relatively deep substantially recnaeaasa v tangular recess formed in the upper surface thereof,'a groove formed in the upper surface of the base at one corner of the latter, said base having a recess extending upwardly from the bottom surface thereof beneath said groove, said last mentioned recess opening to the end wall of said base, a resilient stationary contact having one end portion located within said groove and another end portion located within said first-mentioned recess, a terminal member having portions thereof bent at substantiallyv right angles to each other, one of said portions bein located within said groove in superimpose relation to said contact, a binding screw carried by the other of saidortions and having its shankaccommodate by said last mentioned recess, and a rivet penetratin alined openings in said base, said contact an said terminal member and upset over the-latter to secure the parts in assembled relation to each other.

11. In an electric snap switch in combination, a molded insulating base having a recess, stationary contact elements ocated wkifhin said recess, an insulating plate shda cari ied by said plate and movable thereby into and out of bridging relation to said stationary contacts, actuating means for sa1d plate comprising a pin having shoulders formed thereon intermediate the length thereof, a substantially U-shaped member adapted to carry said pin in a relation to provide for lost motion of the latter with res ct thereto, a metal top plate with WhlCh sai U-shaped member is 'rectly engaged for pivotal support thereby, a lever, a coiled compression s ring interposed between said lever and said U-s laped member, sa1d lever having an opening formed therein, a pivot pm having an intermediate enlargement adapted "for a drive fit within said opening, means associated with said top plate to provide bearing supports for the opposite ends of said pivot pin, and means also associated with said top plate to prevent movement of said lever laterallyl with respect to the plane of oscillation t ereof to thereby in sure a inst substantial endwise movement of sai pivot in.

12. In an e ectric snap switch, in combination, a punched and stamped sheet metal top plate of substantially inverted channelshape, a pair of vertically alined bearin o nin formed in opposite sides of sai c shaped sheet metal member having angularly bent and portions ada ted to bear within mounted within said recess contactors anne -shaped plate, a substantially U- plate, said lever having a relatively smaller opening to be alined with the upper set of bearing openings in said plate, and a pivot pin insertable endwise through said bearing openings and said lever opening, said pin having an intermediate enlargement to provide for a drive fit thereof within said lever opening, whereby said pin is restrained against endwise displacement in the assembled relation of said parts.

13. In an electric. snap switch, in combination, a punched and stamped sheet metal topplate of substantially inverted channel-shape, said top plate having a pair of alined bearing openings formed in the opposite parallel sides thereof, a substantially U-shaped sheet metal member having angularlyextending end portions adapted to bear within said openings, said plate having a relatively narrow rec-. tangular slot formed in the upper portion thereof,a punched sheet metal actuating lever of substantially T-shape, one arm of the T being formed to provide a spring abutment, the other arm of the T being slidable within said slot and limited in its movements by the end walls of the latter, a second plate attached to said top plate and adapted to provide a bearing surface for said last'mentioned arm of the T, said second plate having lugs formed integrally therewith and bent upwardly therefrom in parallel relation to each other, a trigger lever pivotally supported by said lugs, said trigger lever having spaced parallel lugs depending therefrom, a pin providing a pivotal connection between said last mentioned lugs and said T-shaped lever, and spring means for biasing said trigger lever to a given extreme position while permitting movement thereof to its opposite extreme position against the action of said bias.

14. In an electric snap switch, in/combination, a punched and stamped sheet metal top plate of substantially inverted channelshape, said top plate having a pair of alined bearing openings formed in the oposite parallel sides thereof, a substantially U-shaped sheet metal member having angularly extending end portions adapted to bear within said openings, said plate having a relatively narrow rectangular slot formed in the upper portion thereof, a punchedsheet metal actuating lever of substantially T-shape, one arm of the T having a notch to provide a spring abutment, the other arm of the T being slidable within said slot and limited in its movements by the end walls of the latter, a second plate attached to said top plate and adapted to provide a bearing surface for said last mentioned arm of the T, said second plate having lugs formed integrally therewith and bent upwardly therefrom in parallel relation to each other, a trigger lever pivotally supported by said lugs, said trigger lever having spaced parallel lugs depending therefrom, a pin providing a pivotal connection between said last mentioned lugs and said T-shaped lever, spring means for biasing said trigger lever to a-given extreme position while permitting movement thereof to its opposite extreme position against the action of said bias, said spring means comprising a. pair of coiled tension springs each having one end thereof connected to said pivot pin, and a second pin loosely carried by said top plate and to which the opposite ends of said springs are respectively attached.

15. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a punched and stamped sheet metal top plate of substantially inverted channel-shape, said top plate having a pair of alined bearing openings-formedin the opposite parallel sides t-hereof,'a substantially U-shaped sheet metal member having angularly extending end portions adapted to bear within said openings,

said plate having a relatively narrow rectangular slot formed in the upper portion thereof, a flat punched sheet metal actuating lever of substantially T-shape, one arm of the T having a notch to provide a spring abutment, the other arm of the T being slidable within said slot and limited in its movements by the end walls of the latter, a second plate attached to said top plate and adapted to provide a bearing surface for said last mentioned arm of the T, said second plate having lugs formed integrally therewith and bent upwardly therefrom in parallel relation to each other, a trigger lever pivotally supported by said lugs, said trigger lever having spaced parallel lugs depending therefrom, a pin providing a pivotal connection between said last mentioned lugs and said T-shaped lever, springmeans forbiasing said trigger lever to a given extreme position while permitting movement thereof to its oposite ex- I treme position against the action of said bias,

second plate also having an end portion bent downwardly at an angle to the main "body thereof, and said end portion having a plurality of tapped openings for cooperation with the shanks of suitable securing screws. 16. In asnap switch of the tool-handle type, in combination, a molded insulating base, a punched and stamped sheet metal top plate therefor, stationary and movable switch parts carried by said base and said plate and substantially enclosed thereby, the stationary switch part-s having terminal portions exposed adjacent to the lower surface of said base at opposite ends of the latter, and wiring terminal crews carried by said terminal portions, said ends of the base being recessed to accommodate theshanks of said terminal screws. a

17.- In an electric snap switch of the toolhandle type, in combination, snap switch mechanism including a reciprocable actuating element, a pivoted operating element having a driving connection with said actuating element, spring means for biasing said opermeans, said operating means being operable independently of said latch to permit return of the former to its biased position, a plurality of pairs ofresilient'stationary contacts,

' the contacts of each pair'being arranged in overlapping relation to each other, a relatively thin'fiat plate of insulatin material interposed between said pairs contacts,

' bridging contactors carried by said late and movable thereby into and out of bri ging engagement with said airs of contacts, and means including a spring interposed between .said actuating' element and said plate to eff extreme positions respectively upon oppo-' feet snap movements of the latter to opposite site movements of the former.

18. In combination, a -movable contactor assembly for electric snap switches, said assembly comprising a relatively thin flat plate of insulating material, said plate having an opening formed therein to provide alost motion connection between the same and a driving element of. suitable form, a U-shaped contactor formed of strip metal, said contactor penetrating said plate and having the arm portions pressed tightly against the opposite faces of said plate where y said parts are retained in assembled relation, and a molded insulating base having a recess, the side and end walls of said recess being respectively adapted'to guide and limit movements of said plate, the bottom wall of said recess having a at rib extending longitudinally thereof against which said plate is adapted to bear..

19. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a punched and stamped sheet metal top plate of substantially inverted channel-shape, said top plate having a pair of alined-bearin openings formed in the arallel sides thereo a substantially U-shape sheet metal member having angularly extending end portions adapted to bear within said openings, a punched sheet metal actuating lever, said lever having one end thereof formed to pro- ,lever to a given extreme mitting movement thereo vide a spring abutment, a second plate attached to said top plate, said second plate having lugs formed integrally therewith and bent upwardly therefrom in parallel relation to each other, a trigger lever pivotally supported" by said lugs, said trigger lever having spaced parallel lugs depending therefrom, a pin providing a pivotal connection between said last mentioned lugs and said actuating lever, spring means for biasing said trigger positlon while perto its opposite extreme position against the argion of said bias,

and a coiledbompression s ring interposed between said actuating lever and said U- o ";;shaiped member to efiect snap movements of 5 the latter to opposite extreme positions respectively upon opposite movements of the former.

20. In an electric switch, in combination, an insulating base adapted to be formed by a straight-line molding operation, said base having a relatively deep recess formed in the upper surface thereof, a groove formed in the upper surface of the base at one corner of the latter, said base having a recess extendin upwardly from'thebottom surface tioned recess, and common means for secur:

ing said contact and terminal member in as-. sembled relationship to each other and to said base. a

21. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a recess, a rib formed integrally with the bottom wall of said recess and having a-flat surface located above said bottom wall, lower and upper resilient stationary contacts located within said recess and biased toward each other, and a relatively thin flat insulating member slidable upon said flat surface and interposed between said stationary contacts in all positions of the former, said insulating member having' a conducting element movable therewith into and out of bridging relation to said contacts. a

22. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a substantially rectangular recess formed in the upper surface thereof, a rib formed in said recess and projecting from the bottom and end walls of the latter, contact and terminal members secured to the four corners of said base, the contact portions of said members bein resilient and the ends of each longitudinaIly alined pair being located within said recess in overlapping relation to each other,

of said reeessand upon the top surface of said base to provide substantially separate compartments, pairs of resilient contact elements located within the respective compartments and'having end portions arranged in overlapping relation to each other within said recess, wiring terminal elements having portions thereof located on opposite sides of the ribs upon the upper surface of said base, said last-mentioned portions being adapted to overlie the other end portions of said contact elements, and a plurality of members penetrating corresponding openings in said base, contact and terminal elements and engaging the latter to rigidly secure the parts in assembled relation.

24. In combination, a slidable contactor assembly for electric snap switches, said assembly comprising a relatively thin flat plate of insulating material, said plate having a substantially centrally located opening formed therein to loosely receive an actuating element of suitable form, said plate also having a pair of alined notches formed in opposite edges thereof, a pair of metal contactors, said contactors having portions thereof located within said notches and portions thereof located on opposite faces of said plate, said last mentioned portions being pressed tightly against said faces of the plate whereby said parts are retained in assembled position, and a molded insulating base having a recess, the side and end walls of said recess being respectively adapted to guide and limit movement of said plate, the bottom wall of said recess having a rib extending longitudinally thereof against which said plate is adapted to bear.

25. An electric snap switch comprising a molded insulating base having a substantially rectangular recess formed in the upper surface thereof, a rib extending longitudinally of the bottom wall of said recess, said rib having a flat upper surface, a thin fiat plate of insulating material of substantially rectangular contour located within said recess and slidable upon the upper surfacev of said rib, said plate having its movements guided and limited, res ectively, by the side and end walls of saitf recess, a pair of contactors, each contactor having a connecting portion penetrating said plate and arm portions bent into clamping engagement with opposite faces of said plate, and two pairs of stationary contacts having the resilient tips thereof respectively biased into engagement with opposite faces of said plate, whereby upon movement of said plate to opposite extreme positions said eontactors are moved accordingly into or out of bridging relation to said pairs of contacts.

26. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a top plate of substantially inverted posite parallel sides thereof, a substantially U-shaped sheet metal member having angularly extending end portions adapted to bear within said openings, said plate having a relatively narrow rectangular slot formed in the upper portion thereof, a metal actuating member of substantially T-shape, one arm of the'T being adapted to provide a spring abutment, the other arm of the T being slidable within said slot and limited in its movements by the end walls of the latter, a second plate attached to said top plate and adapted to provide a bearing surface for said last-mentioned arm of the T, said second plate having lugs formed integrally therewith and bent upwardly therefrom in parallel relation to each other, a trigger lever pivotally supported by said lugs, said trigger lever having spaced; parallel lugs depending therefrom, a pin providing a pivotal connection between said last-mentioned lugs and said T-shaped member, and spring means for biasing said trigger lever to a given extreme position while permitting movement thereof to its opposite gxtreme position against the action of said 27. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a top plate of substantially inverted channel-shape, said top plate having a pair of alined bearing openings formed in the opposite parallel sides thereof, a substantially U-shaped sheet metal member having angularly extending end portions adapted to bear within said openings, said plate having a relatively narrow rectangular slot formed in the upper ortion thereof, an actuating member of su stantially T-shape, one arm of the T being adapted to provide a spring abutment, the other arm of the T being slidable within said slot, a second plate attached to said top plate and adapted to provide a bearing surface for said last-mentioned arm of the T, said second plate having lugs formed integrally therewith and extending therefrom in parallel relation to each other, a trig ger lever pivotally supported by said lugs, said trigger lever having spaced parallel lugs depending therefrom, a pin providing a pivotal connection between said last-mentioned lugs and said T-shaped member, spring means for biasing said trigger lever to a given extreme position while permitting movement thereof to its opposite extreme position against said'bias, said second plate also having an end portion extending at an angle to the main body thereof, and said end portion having a plurality of openings formed therein to provide for attachment of the device to a suitable support.

28. In a snap switch of the tool-handle type, in combination, a molded insulatin base, a top plate therefor, stationary an movable switch parts carried by said base and said plate and substantially enclosed thereby, the stationary switch parts having terminal'portions exposed adjacent to the lower surface of said base at opposite ends of the latter, and wiring terminal screws carried by said terminal portions, said ends of the base being recessed to accommodate the shanks of said terminal screws.

29. In combination, a movable contactor assembly for electric snap switches, said assembly comprising a relatively thin flat plate of insulating material, said plate having an opening formed therein to provide a lost motion connection between the same and a driving element of suitable form, a contactor having a connecting portion penetrating said plate and arm portions pressed tightly against the opposite facesj of said plate where- I by said parts are retained in assembled relation, and a molded insulating base having a recess, the side and end walls of said recess being respectively adapted to ide and limit movements of said plate, the ottom wall of said recess having a flat rib extending longitudinally thereof against which said plate is adapted to bear.

30. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a top plate of substantially inverted channel-shape, said top plate having a pair of aligned bearing openings formed in the parallel sides thereof, a substantially U-' shaped sheet metal member having angularly extending end portions adapted to bear within said openings, a metal actuating member, said member having means at one end thereof to provide a spring abutment, a second plate attached to said top plate, said second plate having lugs formed integrally there- I with and bent upwardly therefrom in parallel relation to each other, a trigger lever pivotally supported by said lugs, said trigger lever having spaced parallel lugs depending therefrom, a pin providinga pivotal connection between said last-mentioned lugs and said 'actuatingmember, spring means for biasing said'trigger lever to a given extreme position while permitting movement thereof to its opposite extreme position against said bias, and a coiled compression spring interposed between said actuating member and said U-shaped member to efle'ct snap movements of the latter to opposite extreme positions respectively upon opposite movements of the former.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed iny name,

GEORGE J. moan, 

